I finally discovered that my tingly feet and blisters have been caused by my shoes! ACK! It took almost 200 miles to figure this out. I went to someone who knew how to size my feet and got a pair of shoes 1.5 sizes bigger. I knew I would need some time to break them in so I started wearing them around the house. I did a 4-mile run this afternoon thinking this would be a good break-in run for them. I even tied the heel-lock on them hoping that would prevent any issues. They definitnely run differently than my other shoes. I don't think they bothered my feet like the other shoes, but a long run will be the true test.
There were many variables affecting the run today. When I started, my thighs were aching so badly from the 12-mile run a couple days ago. Bill ran the first mile with me and Rachael rode her bike. Because of this, I knew I wouldn't be breaking any records today so I just did my "slow is the new fast" approach. It was a physically a tough run.
About mile 2.5 I really felt like my feet were literally pounding the pavement. I think I run differently with these. Towards the end of the run, my blisters felt like they were starting to act up again. When I got home, I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, however. This is why I think a long run will be the true test of the shoes. I was able to pull a ton of skin off my middle left toetip, though. Wow, that looked really ugly tonight!! Bill was a little grossed out by that. My old shoes felt more "springy". I feel like I run more "flat" with these. I wore 2 pair socks as suggested by Vardotrichic. Maybe that helped the feet, too.
Another variable is that I didn't drug myself on this run. I usually take a Sudafed and a couple Ibuprofen before a mid or long run. I didn't do that this time, thinking I would be ok at 4 miles. Yikes, my legs muscles ached sooo much. I could have unconsciously been compensating for this as I ran. I didn't wear my running belt on this run, either so I didn't drink anything on this run. Should I admit I missed the fluids during a run? nah.
I may need to go back and look at the chapter on blisters, chaffing and other goodies. It seems like that was a long time ago that I read that. My arms have been chaffing near my armpits. They must start sweating and rub against my shirt. Woah, that hurts! Any ideas on this one Vardotrichic?
4 mile run; .3 mile walk; RPE - 4.5
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Dam Practice Run - 1/2 way there
I completed a Dam to Dam run this morning! Today is forecasted to be in the 60s. Saturday is forecasted to be snow again. Welcome to spring in Iowa! So, I texted J to see if she wanted to do a big run today. She brought the boys over at 6:30 and by 6:40 Rachael was babysitting. It's so nice to have the girls getting older so that I can leave them for an hour or so. This was her first "real" babysitting job so that was going through my mind throughout the run today: 4 kids under 5!
It was a great run until the last mile, again. The thought entered my mind that I had completed what I did the week before and I think my mind just stopped at that point. I really had to push myself to keep going. I felt like every step was "Come on, one foot in front of the other" and that J was pulling me along.
At about mile 3.5 my left foot started getting tingly again. J commented that your feet swell while running. I'm wondering if that is my problem. Funny thing, it's only in the right foot. Ironically, that's where all/vast majority of my blisters are, too. Correlation? Not sure. I even have one on the arch of my foot...have never gotten one there.
The Ellsworth loop is a good loop for hill training. They are spaced nicely with some big, some gradual, some steep hills. We end the loop back into town with a hill, also. My thighs would burn at the top of the hills and then a little more running will work that out.
When we got back into town I thought, ok, just a quick Ethanol Loop and we're done. We went east to west and back into town. I think I would have done it in reverse if I had to do it again. I had my hill training to Ellsworth and east to west Ethanol has some gradual hills that were difficult for both of us.
The marathon book talks about "flow". I definitely get into a flow on runs. I just keep running and don't pay attention much to the miles going by. I like to mentally note the half-way point, but other than that, it's just getting to the final destination.
As we were coming into town at the end I kept thinking of Dam to Dam. This was my ultimate goal for this training. I have accomplished this distance. I wanted to finish strong. It wasn't the wall, it was just fatigue. I have surpassed the half-way mark and am building strength, endurance, heart muscle, lung capacity, confidence. That is a great feeling and that is why I run!
I was able to still maintain a good pace throughout the run, completing the 12 miles in about 1:55. I was afraid I would poop out and slow way down again like I did last week. I think the wind last week just beat on me. Today was a beautiful morning for a run!
12 mile run; .5 mile walk; RPE - 3.5
It was a great run until the last mile, again. The thought entered my mind that I had completed what I did the week before and I think my mind just stopped at that point. I really had to push myself to keep going. I felt like every step was "Come on, one foot in front of the other" and that J was pulling me along.
At about mile 3.5 my left foot started getting tingly again. J commented that your feet swell while running. I'm wondering if that is my problem. Funny thing, it's only in the right foot. Ironically, that's where all/vast majority of my blisters are, too. Correlation? Not sure. I even have one on the arch of my foot...have never gotten one there.
The Ellsworth loop is a good loop for hill training. They are spaced nicely with some big, some gradual, some steep hills. We end the loop back into town with a hill, also. My thighs would burn at the top of the hills and then a little more running will work that out.
When we got back into town I thought, ok, just a quick Ethanol Loop and we're done. We went east to west and back into town. I think I would have done it in reverse if I had to do it again. I had my hill training to Ellsworth and east to west Ethanol has some gradual hills that were difficult for both of us.
The marathon book talks about "flow". I definitely get into a flow on runs. I just keep running and don't pay attention much to the miles going by. I like to mentally note the half-way point, but other than that, it's just getting to the final destination.
As we were coming into town at the end I kept thinking of Dam to Dam. This was my ultimate goal for this training. I have accomplished this distance. I wanted to finish strong. It wasn't the wall, it was just fatigue. I have surpassed the half-way mark and am building strength, endurance, heart muscle, lung capacity, confidence. That is a great feeling and that is why I run!
I was able to still maintain a good pace throughout the run, completing the 12 miles in about 1:55. I was afraid I would poop out and slow way down again like I did last week. I think the wind last week just beat on me. Today was a beautiful morning for a run!
12 mile run; .5 mile walk; RPE - 3.5
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Thanks Vardo!
Got to run with my best friend Vardotrichic and her new fiancée and their beautifuil dog Mara last night. It was a GREEEAAAAT run. The six miles flew by - didn't seem like 6 at all, more like 3ish. I hope I didn't slow them down in a bad way because I would LOVE to run with them again. We'll have to make a Saturday of it when Bill is feeling better and we can spend a few hours just sitting around chatting. ;)
There was a nice route chosen and I just let them lead. I think it was a good run because I didn't know where I was going, how many miles were left, or how far I had gone. I just knew the half-way mark and when we turned to go south back to the house. Vardotrichic mentioned the miles a few times, but it didn't bother me where we were. Wish I could run that blind all the time. Usually my last mile is the worst, but I still felt strong at the end.
We ended at Vardotrichic's house for margaritas, uh, I mean postrun replenishing drinks. It looked like a margarita, but was seriously a protein drink. Thanks!
It was a great way to start my Spring Break!
6 mile run; .1 mi walk; RPE - 3
No headphones.
There was a nice route chosen and I just let them lead. I think it was a good run because I didn't know where I was going, how many miles were left, or how far I had gone. I just knew the half-way mark and when we turned to go south back to the house. Vardotrichic mentioned the miles a few times, but it didn't bother me where we were. Wish I could run that blind all the time. Usually my last mile is the worst, but I still felt strong at the end.
We ended at Vardotrichic's house for margaritas, uh, I mean postrun replenishing drinks. It looked like a margarita, but was seriously a protein drink. Thanks!
It was a great way to start my Spring Break!
6 mile run; .1 mi walk; RPE - 3
No headphones.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Run Forest Run
Ok, I tried to run fast tonight, but ended up running the same time. :( I really felt disappointed. I can really see why my goal should only be to finish a marathon, not to have other goals. DOH!
Rachael rode Noelle's bike tonight. JK said the track kids were freezing outside running tonight so when I got home, I put on an extra shirt, gloves, and a stocking hat. The run started out really well. The first mile flew by. The second mile was a little harder, the third not so bad, the fourth I really pushed. About mile 2.5 I started shredding clothes: hat first, then gloves, then unzip the jacket. I was sweating like crazy! Who said it was freezing out here?! It was beautiful! Great night for a run.
The winds were strong, straight out of the north. I had about 1.25 mile straight north along the highway tonight. I was running the hills at the cemetery. I had glimpses of the 5K at Jewell Jubilee last year again. I remembered turning the corner at the south side of the cemetery and hitting the strong cool headwind. I was done. Not tonight! I was strong; I was a marathoner! No problem. It was nice to have Rachael to distract me, too.
My humonga blister inside my big toe was looking much better by this afternoon. I put a bandaid on it anyway because I didn't want it to get worse so I'd have to run 6 miles tomorrow night on it. ugh. After the run, I pulled off the dead skin. I'll let it heal and see how it looks tomorrow.
I have been reading ahead in the book again and got to a chapter on connectivity and disconnectivity. They talked about connecting with what is happening - running. Be very conscious of the act of running. They explained that if you are disconnected from this, the mind is distracted from running. [Yes! That's what I want!] They go on to say that the body is training, but not the mind. hmmm. argh. It's the mental distraction that allows the body to train. I feel like that's how I've gotten this far already. I am in awe that in about 3 weeks I went from running only 40-50 min to running over 2 hrs without stopping. I don't want to hear myself breathing. I don't want to feel the pain in my legs and the blisters on my toes. I don't want to think about how much farther I have to run. I'm supposed to be keeping positive thoughts, right? It's the disconnetivity that allows me to remain positive. They strongly recommend not listening to music, daydreaming, etc. It's that music that drowns out all the negativity. I like running with someone else to talk about *stuff* to distract me from counting miles, minutes, steps.
4 mile run; .25 walk; 10 min stretch; RPE - 3
Rachael rode Noelle's bike tonight. JK said the track kids were freezing outside running tonight so when I got home, I put on an extra shirt, gloves, and a stocking hat. The run started out really well. The first mile flew by. The second mile was a little harder, the third not so bad, the fourth I really pushed. About mile 2.5 I started shredding clothes: hat first, then gloves, then unzip the jacket. I was sweating like crazy! Who said it was freezing out here?! It was beautiful! Great night for a run.
The winds were strong, straight out of the north. I had about 1.25 mile straight north along the highway tonight. I was running the hills at the cemetery. I had glimpses of the 5K at Jewell Jubilee last year again. I remembered turning the corner at the south side of the cemetery and hitting the strong cool headwind. I was done. Not tonight! I was strong; I was a marathoner! No problem. It was nice to have Rachael to distract me, too.
My humonga blister inside my big toe was looking much better by this afternoon. I put a bandaid on it anyway because I didn't want it to get worse so I'd have to run 6 miles tomorrow night on it. ugh. After the run, I pulled off the dead skin. I'll let it heal and see how it looks tomorrow.
I have been reading ahead in the book again and got to a chapter on connectivity and disconnectivity. They talked about connecting with what is happening - running. Be very conscious of the act of running. They explained that if you are disconnected from this, the mind is distracted from running. [Yes! That's what I want!] They go on to say that the body is training, but not the mind. hmmm. argh. It's the mental distraction that allows the body to train. I feel like that's how I've gotten this far already. I am in awe that in about 3 weeks I went from running only 40-50 min to running over 2 hrs without stopping. I don't want to hear myself breathing. I don't want to feel the pain in my legs and the blisters on my toes. I don't want to think about how much farther I have to run. I'm supposed to be keeping positive thoughts, right? It's the disconnetivity that allows me to remain positive. They strongly recommend not listening to music, daydreaming, etc. It's that music that drowns out all the negativity. I like running with someone else to talk about *stuff* to distract me from counting miles, minutes, steps.
4 mile run; .25 walk; 10 min stretch; RPE - 3
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Run Like the Wind
WOW! That was a hard run, but a good run! J and I ran the Ethanol Loop and a little more. We had a nice chat. Again I started to poop out at the end as we were heading back into town. We talked about all sort of topics that will stay on the run. Nice time. I didn't feel like I was drinking much but when the run was over my bottles were pretty much gone. I felt my toes rubbing again, too. When I got home I took off my socks and there was a HUUUUUGE blister on inside of my big toe on the right. That will take awhile to heal.
It was 11 miles that felt like about 9. Guess that makes a good run. We were running with the wind pretty much the whole way. Only about 1.5 miles that we were running with the wind, about 3 miles into the wind, and the remaining was strong to our sides. I am quite chilly now so it's time to go soak in a hot bath.
11 mile run; 1/2 mile walk; 10 min stretch; RPE - 4
It was 11 miles that felt like about 9. Guess that makes a good run. We were running with the wind pretty much the whole way. Only about 1.5 miles that we were running with the wind, about 3 miles into the wind, and the remaining was strong to our sides. I am quite chilly now so it's time to go soak in a hot bath.
11 mile run; 1/2 mile walk; 10 min stretch; RPE - 4
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Another Loop
Once again, I was reflecting on my run for the day and realized that I could run, get showered, and then to church if I hurry this afternoon. I did the Ethanol Loop as soon as Bill got home...he's the best daddy/husband in the whole world! It turned out to be perfect timing.
I couldn't figure out the winds so I just took off not knowing if I should head west or east first. When I got to the tracks I decided to go east. Good choice. I think I prefer that direction better. Somehow that highway stretch seems soooo long. The run back into town through Dogtown is much easier.
The run itself was pretty good. I felt strong all the way through. I dressed more loosely today - only my thin running pants, no headband, rolled up fingerless mittens (thanks to J!).
5 mile run; 2 block walk; RPE - 3
I couldn't figure out the winds so I just took off not knowing if I should head west or east first. When I got to the tracks I decided to go east. Good choice. I think I prefer that direction better. Somehow that highway stretch seems soooo long. The run back into town through Dogtown is much easier.
The run itself was pretty good. I felt strong all the way through. I dressed more loosely today - only my thin running pants, no headband, rolled up fingerless mittens (thanks to J!).
5 mile run; 2 block walk; RPE - 3
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
What sexy legs!
Yes, that's a wild title. I was stretching in front of a mirror and realized I have great looking legs! They look like they did in college...almost.
Anyway, I missed my run last night. I had a really long day, didn't get home until almost 10:00 and still had to do some homework. I am contemplating how to make up that run. I may just have to cross it off the list. :(
We are getting rain all week so I am a little discouraged. I know there is a chance I may have to run in rain on "raceday", but I'm quite sure it will be a little warmer than 30 degrees. I may just push all my runs back a day since I've missed a day anyway. That way I can still make them up and the long run won't be in the rain.
Tonight's run was actually quite good during the first half. Again, I started thinking about how many miles were left and started to break down in form andenergy.
I also need to eat a more substancial lunch...other than popcorn.
5 mile run; .6 mile walk; 62 min; RPE - 4
Anyway, I missed my run last night. I had a really long day, didn't get home until almost 10:00 and still had to do some homework. I am contemplating how to make up that run. I may just have to cross it off the list. :(
We are getting rain all week so I am a little discouraged. I know there is a chance I may have to run in rain on "raceday", but I'm quite sure it will be a little warmer than 30 degrees. I may just push all my runs back a day since I've missed a day anyway. That way I can still make them up and the long run won't be in the rain.
Tonight's run was actually quite good during the first half. Again, I started thinking about how many miles were left and started to break down in form andenergy.
I also need to eat a more substancial lunch...other than popcorn.
5 mile run; .6 mile walk; 62 min; RPE - 4
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